Burnley 3 Bolton 0

The Clarets cruised into the quarter finals of the U21 Premier League Cup with a convincing Christmas win over Bolton at Turf Moor.

Burnley dominated the mini-derby and saw off Wanderers thanks to goals from Cameron Howieson, Jason Gilchrist and Jamie Frost.

New Zealand international Howieson opened his account for the season with a fierce low drive 18 minutes before half time and Gilchrist doubled the advantage ten minutes into the second half.

And with Wanderers a spent force, Frost sealed a last-eight berth in the New Year with a firm, far post header eight minutes from time.

On a wintry night at Turf Moor, Bolton had the first opportunity in the seventh minute, when Nick Liversedge’s punch from a hanging free kick fell kindly to Chris Lester.

The Clarets 'keeper quickly recovered his position to claw away the right winger’s fierce drive from the edge of the box.

And from that point on Liversedge was a virtual bystander as Simon Weatherstone’s youngsters took control of the game.

The Clarets’ first effort of note saw the impressive Steven Hewitt force a diving save from Jonny Sutherland with a 20-yard free kick.

Howieson was even closer midway through the half when, from a training ground corner, his rising drive from 35 yards was inches over the angle.

However the Kiwi got his angles right in the 27th minute to finally put the Clarets ahead.

There was a suggestion of hand ball as the midfielder took down Hewitt’s drilled pass on the edge of the box, but no doubt about the finish as he found the bottom corner with an unerring strike.

And with half time approaching, the Clarets almost doubled their advantage with a quick breakaway down the left.

Luke Conlan released Noble and from his clever cut-back, Archie Love’s rising drive was deflected over off the head of Glenn Matthews.

However, the decisive second goal did arrive just 11 minutes into the second half.

With Wanderers napping, Hewitt played a short corner to Cameron Dummigan, who picked out Gilchrist’s run to the far post with a perfect cross that the unmarked striker nodded home from point-blank range.

Noble could have widened the gap between the two sides 18 minutes from time following more good work down the right from Gilchrist, but the former Sunderland striker skied his first time effort from 12 yards

But the third finally arrived when Conlan picked out Frost with a peach of a cross from the left flank that the teenager nodded nonchalantly past a static Sutherland.